March 16th, 1969 Recap
Alpha & Charlie Company continued to occupy LZ Cider. Multiple short range patrols were sent out, with no contact reported. Patrols from both companies reported discovering signs of recent NVA activity, including cut logs, well used trails and directional markings cut into trees.
Bravo & Delta Company continued to occupy the LZ Swift & LZ D-Handle hilltops. Delta Company had the most significant finding of the day when it discovered the grave of an soldier near YA 818854. The soldier, most likely a Chinese advisor, had been buried in the middle of a large bunker complex. Delta established an ambush patrol near the bunker complex, and sent several short range patrols out to the east and south of LZ D-Handle.
March 17th, 1969
The four line companies of the battalion enjoy another relatively quiet day. Alpha & Charlie continue improving the LZ Cider perimeter. A planned lift of the rest of the battalion TOC from LZ Swinger is accomplished at 1400 hours. Split into several elements since March 1st, the battalion is finally reformed. Bravo Battery, 6-29 Field Artillery and the battalion Recon Platoon also continue their occupation of LZ Cider.
Six kilometers north of the battalion firebase at LZ Cider, Bravo & Delta companies continue to send out small element patrols. Focused mostly on the looming ridgeline to the southwest, the patrols encounter little to no NVA activity on the 17th. There is no way the members of Delta Company can anticipate the coming maelstrom that will envelope their patrol sector on the 18th.
March 17th, 1969 Daily Journal entries
0710 hours
LZ Swinger at this time is receiving incoming rounds from the north by a recoilless rifle.
0715 hours
LZ Swinger had six rounds from north of perimeter impacting on the south. Negative incoming.
0717 hours
Charlie Company reports ambush patrol (AP) 531 closed his location (LZ Cider).
0830 hours
Captain Foss of Delta Company request airstrike at grid YA 817839.
0835 hours
The airstrike requested by Captain Foss will not go into effect at this time. Airstrike at YA 817839.
0838 hours
Confirmation on Delta Company short range patrol (SRP) 42 night location is YA 828853
0930 hours
Negative birds have checked in for the completion of TOC command post element.
0950 hours
Delta Company 2nd Platoon will be working around grid YA 818854 then return to Delta Company location.
1010 hours
PZ time for 1st load to new location LZ Cider is 1010 hours.
1021 hours
1st sortie in LZ Cider. LZ Time 1021 hours.
1100 hours
Headhunter found at following grids YA 783917, YA 786908, YA 790906 found a heavy trail, which was in recent use within the past 24 hours. All traffic moving to the east. At YA 783917, YA 794921 another heavy trail running southwest-northeast to grid 805913. On west side of blue line.
From Headhunter 46 at YA 8385 within a two kilometer radius a number of open fields in bare ridgelines. Believed to be no activity which to him seemed unusual in that area. At grid YA 804882 Headhunter spotted 3 to 4 large wooden crates.
Delta Company 2nd Platoon closed D Co location with pictures of the KIA (enemy) found yesterday at grid YA 818839
1230 hours
AO for Yellow Scarf YA 7085 – YA 7885 – YA 7877 – YA 7077
1300 hours
At grid 7683 Yellow Scarf had received small arms fire. Cav is at this time engaging.
1320 hours
Cider 13 informed us they have a confirmed enemy location grid 753833.
1400 hours
Bravo Company requested to have two scout dog teams at his location to help check out his area.
1405 hours
Final completion for entire CP element LZ 1400 hours.
1406 hours
The airstrike that Captain Foss has requested will probably go into effect late this afternoon. Negative 707.
1450 hours
Cider 14 said he will have an airstrike YA 817839.
1536 hours
Yellow Scarfs are going to be working in the same AO as we are.
1600 hours
Yellow Scarfs requested harassment and interdiction fire at YA 7483 & YA 7583.
1650 hours
Airstrike going in at YA 817839
1900 hours
Plan summary & night locations plus request of supply request of detonator cord 1000 feet per day for five days.
2046 hours
Delta Company reports that they see lights moving around about two kilometers south. Heavy organics & light organics being employed.
2113 hours
Delta Company reports lights are out and organics have stopped.
